Life in Sangin: A story in Pictures â€“ Final Part

Midshipman

As the UK hands over responsibility of Sangin to the US Marines during the planned realignment of troops, we publish the final part of LA(Phot) Si Ethellâ€™s photos from 40 Commando Royal Marinesâ€™ tour in the North Helmand district on Op Herrick 12. You can see the photos here

Lantern Swinger

As the UK hands over responsibility of Sangin to the US Marines during the planned realignment of troops, we publish the final part of LA(Phot) Si Ethellâ€™s photos from 40 Commando Royal Marinesâ€™ tour in the North Helmand district on Op Herrick 12. You can see the photos here

'A recent episode has provided a spark for American anger, and caused acute British embarrassment: the loss of a consignment of 59 Minimi machine-guns, one of the deadliest weapons in the Nato armoury, which have now surfaced in the hands of the Taliban. Two of the missing guns were taken back earlier this month by U.S. Marines, following a firefight.

The 'Minimi scandal' is flagged by Americans as a symbol of our incompetence.

The weapons had been flown to Britain's main base at Camp Bastion last October. They were then dispatched by road convoy to Nato's Kandahar airfield. It is believed that the convoy was ambushed and the weapons hijacked somewhere en route.

Until a month ago, nobody even noticed this arsenal was missing, far less knew what had happened to it. Liam Fox is justly furious, and a military police investigation is ongoing.

The U.S. media is having a field day with the story. An American officer calls it 'a terrible embarrassment for British forces'.'